A multi-trick pony: Silicone roof coatings

By Progressive Materials.

Not only do silicone coatings offer a durable restoration option, but they can also help make roofs more energy, environmentally and economically efficient!

Silicone coatings, like the quality ones offered by Progressive Materials (PM), are incredibly useful for roof restoration and repair applications. They are known for their durability and longevity, along with their clean appearance. But the stark white of silicone coatings is not purely for aesthetics, it also means that silicone coatings are often reflective, have UV-resistance or a combination of the two. This means that they are more energy efficient than uncoated roofing. Not only does this make the environment around and underneath the roof more comfortable, but it can also mean there are tax breaks and other incentives available for those that choose to coat their roof with silicone. Keep reading to learn about one program, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and what qualifying for this program’s credits means.  

LEED facts

The nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council – a group of architects, construction companies, product manufacturers and others – promotes sustainability in building design, construction and operation. Its LEED project provides standardization and independent oversight to claims of environmental performance for nonresidential buildings.

LEED’s basic formula includes a checklist of credits that determines available points for various green measures. These points can be awarded in five areas:

1. Sustainable sites
2. Water efficiency
3. Energy and atmosphere
4. Materials and resources
5. Indoor environmental quality

Those points, in turn, can place a project anywhere from LEED Certified (40-49 points) to LEED Certified Platinum (80 or more points). LEED buildings can earn up to 110 points.

Silicone roofing

Silicone roof coatings can contribute to earning LEED credits in these and other ways:

• Sustainable sites: Reflective silicone coatings can reduce the heat island effect by reflecting sunlight and reducing roof temperatures.
• Energy and atmosphere: By improving a building’s energy efficiency through thermal performance, silicone coatings can help achieve energy optimization credits.
• Materials and resources: Using silicone coatings can extend an existing roof’s life, which reduces the need for new materials and cuts waste.
• Indoor environmental quality: Silicone coatings can boost indoor air quality by reducing the need for air conditioning and improving overall thermal comfort.

Tax breaks

Governments at the federal, state and local levels offer incentives like tax deductions, tax credits and accelerated depreciation options for LEED buildings. These incentives help offset additional costs associated with sustainable construction and provide financial incentives for investing in green building technologies.

Tax deductions allow building owners to deduct some expenses incurred during construction or renovation of a LEED building. This can include costs related to energy-efficient roofing such as a PM Silicone Roof Coating Restoration. Tax credits are a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the amount of taxes owed. These credits can be applied to green building features including silicone roofing, solar panels, geothermal systems and rainwater harvesting systems.

Conclusion

Among its many benefits, PM silicone coatings extend the life of your roof, reduce energy costs and provide a seamless waterproof barrier. These benefits alongside the LEED program – which offers an opportunity for tax breaks and other benefits – make a PM Silicone roof coating an even stronger option for any building owner!

Original article and photo source: Progressive Materials